So, I wanted to talk about this whole Ben Shelton thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a real eye-opener. I’ve been following this guy for a while now, ever since he started making waves in those minor league competitions. The dude’s just 20, and he’s already turning heads in the big leagues. I mean, he got all the way to the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open! That’s wild.
I started digging into his background. Born in 2002, this guy is young, like really young. But don’t let that fool you. He’s got skills. Watching him play, it’s clear he’s got something special. I got sucked into watching hours of his matches. Seriously, the hours just flew by.
Then, I hit a bit of a snag. I read that he’s a lefty. Now, I’m not a pro or anything, but apparently, being a lefty in tennis is a whole different ball game. It’s like they’re playing a different sport almost. I found out that a lot of players actually avoid practicing with lefties. Can you believe it? They say it messes with their game. It felt like running into a wall, but I had to know more.
I started looking into why this is such a big deal. I read articles, watched interviews, you name it. I even talked to some local tennis players to get their take. It’s all about the spin of the ball, the angles, the way they move. It’s like a mirror image of what right-handed players are used to. Ben himself even said it’s a struggle. He’s like, “Yeah, it’s tough finding practice partners.” I felt for the guy, but it also made me admire his determination even more.
So, I decided to see for myself. I went down to the local courts and tried to play like a lefty. It was a disaster! I could barely hit the ball, let alone control it. My respect for Ben, and all lefty players, went through the roof. I felt like I was learning to walk again.
This whole experience has been a journey. From watching Ben’s matches, then diving into his story, to realizing the challenges he faces, and finally trying to experience a tiny bit of it myself. It’s given me a whole new appreciation for the sport and the players. It was a mess at times, I was confused at times, but it was well worth it in the end.
It has been a really interesting experience. Now he is 21 and entered the Australian Open as the world No. 21, and he said he knows why he is different. Also, he said he’s better than most at so many tennis skills. That was really made me think, I should keep an eye on this guy. So I will.
